FIRE crews from three stations were called to tackle a blaze in Meltham.

Smoke was spotted pouring from the roof of a building belonging to Lewis Haigh and Sons Ltd on Mean Lane in Meltham at about 4pm on Saturday afternoon.

The firm has premises next to D Haigh and Co Tarmacadam.

The Meltham fire engine was not available so crews were called from Marsden, Slaithwaite and Huddersfield.

The smoke was so intense that six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went in to find the seat of the fire and tackle it.

A West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “The fire was in a single-storey building. It was very heavily smoke-logged inside so we committed six personnel wearing breathing apparatus.

“A lot of smoke was coming out of the building and it looked quite serious at first.

“We also discovered propane cylinders inside which caused us some concern in the early stages until we were able to move them outside to safety.’’

The firefighters discovered that a large machine used to lay tar had caught fire and people watching the drama unfold said they could smell the odour of burning tar. It is not known how the fire started.

The spokesman added: “Once we discovered where the smoke was coming from and had put the fire out the damage was not as extensive as first thought.

“The damage was mainly confined to the tar-laying machine.’’

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Lewis Haigh and Sons are specialists in asphalt and macadam and are also excavation, groundwork and drainage contractors.

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